"No one could answer that exactly. As a lawyer, you certainly know that many laws are obsolete or foolish. Dead-letter laws—Sunday blue laws—that sort of thing. I would never willingly break any law that the majority considers important."
"I see. You have decided then that the majority doesn't consider the law against adultery important?"
"I don't know—I've already said I don't even know what laws New Essex has about that. If people are ever prosecuted for it—I suppose they are—I never heard of it."
"Your answer isn't quite responsive. Do you mean you believe that in breaking the seventh commandment you were merely doing what everyone does more or less?"
"I didn't say that. I—"
Warner let his voice go: "I will inquire again whether the District Attorney believes he is trying a case of adultery."
"I will reply again that I wish to discover Miss Blake's attitude toward law itself, as it bears on the reliability of her statements."
Judge Mann spoke with acid: "Gentlemen ... Mr. Hunter, your point may be still defensible, but I think you're going too far afield. I suggest you bring your inquiry back to factual evidence and the material of direct testimony."
"Very well, your Honor. Miss Blake, do you have a clear recollection of those letters of yours which were read in court this morning?"
"Very clear."